SeaWorld treats, releases pelicans from Arizona

This pelican was among seven returned to the wild on Thursday after a stint in rehab at SeaWorld San Diego.

/ SeaWorld

This pelican was among seven returned to the wild on Thursday after a stint in rehab at SeaWorld San Diego.

This pelican was among seven returned to the wild on Thursday after a stint in rehab at SeaWorld San Diego. (/ SeaWorld)

Seven pelicans that were taken to SeaWorld San Diego from two wildlife rehabilitation centers in Arizona returned to the wild on Thursday.

Eight pelicans were rescued and stabilized by the Tucson Wildlife Center and Liberty Wildlife Center in early August. SeaWorld, which specializes in care of injured sea birds and mammals, adopted the animals for more care.

The birds had lost water proofing and were unable to dive for food. SeaWorld officials said the pelicans now are ready to forage on their own and they released seven of them near the mouth of the San Diego River.

One of the birds suffered complications from multiple injuries and did not survive.

This year, SeaWorld has taken in more than 130 injured or ill pelicans.

Brown pelicans are found along coastal habitats throughout the West Coast, Gulf Coast and Latin and South America. They typically weigh about 7½ pounds and have an average wing span of 5½ feet. In 2009, the species was removed from the U.S. endangered species list.